steam condensate conductivity - higher in new piping versus old?
steam condensate conductivity - higher in new piping versus old?
(OP)
Would new piping cause the conductivity level of steam condensate to be much higher than normal? I have a new section of piping that was just installed. It was flushed with water and then steam was introduced. There is a conductivity probe on one of the drip trap condensate lines that is reading approximately 100 times higher than other probes that already existed in the old system. My first though would be a calibration issue with the probe, but I was wondering if the fact that the piping is brand new could be to blame? Does new piping liberate material for a while as steam condensate makes contact with it? That would possible explain my situation.





RE: steam condensate conductivity - higher in new piping versus old?
The water used for flushing might also had been contaminated with corrosion products, rust, etc.
Possible reasons for the new piping elements to be contaminated are:
- Mill scale;
- General (atmospheric) corrosion, if pipes have been sitting for a long time before installation, and/or rust from corrosion caused by hydrotest water;
- Microbiological induced corrosion.
The good part is that you are seeing this only in the new piping section, so troubleshooting can be narrowed down.
Dejan IVANOVIC
Process Engineer, MSChE
RE: steam condensate conductivity - higher in new piping versus old?
I have never monitored conductivity at the very initial startup of a new piping system which is why I asked my original question.
RE: steam condensate conductivity - higher in new piping versus old?
RE: steam condensate conductivity - higher in new piping versus old?
But it should happen rather quickly.
It sounds like you may have another issue.
Is your conductivity de-gassed?
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P.E. Metallurgy, Plymouth Tube
RE: steam condensate conductivity - higher in new piping versus old?
http://www.emerson.com/resource/blob/68442/7b95542...
The piping corrosion byproducts should not have a large affect on the conductivity.
RE: steam condensate conductivity - higher in new piping versus old?
As mentioned by georgeverghese, there might be a process leak.
Also, boiler water carryover can cause increased condensate conductivity which can under certain pipe configuration display itself selectively on one pipe branch only.
If you have conductivity measurement confirmed by another probe, chemical analysis (looking for distinct process and boiler water chemicals/minerals) can bring you on track.
RE: steam condensate conductivity - higher in new piping versus old?
thanks for your input.
RE: steam condensate conductivity - higher in new piping versus old?
TTFN (ta ta for now)
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RE: steam condensate conductivity - higher in new piping versus old?
To get a reading of 320 mg/L TDS, there must of been untreated water from the hydrostatic testing trapped in the piping/